by AMANDA WINTERS

Sequim Gazette

A Sequim girl allegedly abducted by her mother was found safe in San Diego on Dec. 5.

Sarah J. Barton, of Port Ludlow, is in law enforcement custody in California and charged with custodial interference for allegedly abducting her daughter from Sequim on Nov. 30, in violation of a court custody order.

School video surveillance showed Barton contacting her daughter, Hannah McVay, 12, and leaving Sequim Middle School with her at 7:53 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30. A court order gave custody of Hannah to her father, Clallam County Sheriff’s Sgt. John Hollis said in a news release.

Barton appeared “disjointed and panicky” according to a Sheriff’s Office narrative filed in Clallam County Superior Court.

After the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office checked Barton’s residence in the Port Ludlow area, law enforcement learned she hadn’t been seen there since the night before, Hollis said.

One charge of custodial interference in the first degree, a Class C felony, was filed in Clallam County Superior Court on Dec. 2. A warrant for Barton’s arrest also was filed.

Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict told the Port Townsend Leader the girl is in protective custody and speculated Barton may have had contacts in California who alerted local authorities to her whereabouts.

Reach Amanda Winters at awinters@sequimgazette.com.